You’re invited

Say you’ve just moved into a new house. Or the seasons changed. Or it’s your birthday. There are endless reasons to host a gathering, but where do you begin? We’ve asked a few local experts—from home hosts to the pros—how to pull off a low-fuss get-together. It starts with an idea, then throw in some […]

The spirit of the back country

Ken Farmer has made both his careers out of doing what he loves. Whether he’s appraising on PBS’s popular and long-running “Antiques Roadshow,” or performing on a local stage as Ken Farmer and the Authenticators, his knowledge of and love for the arts, crafts, and music of southwest Virginia shines through. Farmer’s roots in the […]

True colors

Have you ever walked into a closet full of clothes and walked out feeling like you have nothing to wear? Victoria Proscia knows that feeling. As a stylist with House of Colour, Proscia is a pro at finding the right colors and clothing cuts to enhance inner beauty. No more blindly shopping trends that just […]

A trip to Gordonsville

A 20-minute drive from Charlottesville, the town of Gordonsville is an attractive spot for a day trip, with it’s many food, drink, and shopping options. Head northeast and check out all this tiny town has to offer. What to eat and drink It goes without saying you have to stop at BBQ Exchange. Chef Craig […]

Caring through the end

Nancy Littlefield is a fourth-generation nurse, so it’s not surprising that she describes caring for people as “my calling.” What may be surprising is that her work as an ICU nurse, helping the sick and their families to heal and recover, led her to palliative care, helping the dying and their families through life’s last […]

New kids in town

Charlottesville is known as a restaurant town, but it’s also a lively retail place that attracts new ventures. And with an eclectic population—traditional and trendy, students and tourists, third-generation and newbies—it’s not surprising the offerings are eclectic too.  Airea Garland took the plunge with lifestyle store Mac and Mae, just off the Downtown Mall on […]

Fit check

Pickleball—the racket game that combines the best of tennis and ping-pong—is the fastest-growing sport in America for the fifth year in a row, according to the Association of Pickleball Professionals. Keswick Hall is getting in on the action. Alongside its recently added pickleball courts, the resort collaborated with Dr. Scholl’s to create the Dink It […]

A good read

Whatever you’re looking for in a summer read—whether it be a laugh-out-loud feminist tale, a small-town mystery, or a nonfiction adventure—area authors have you covered. Dive into the pages of these books and find the perfect warm-weather read for any mood. Sara Read, Johanna Porter is Not Sorry (fiction) What do you do when your […]

Boys to men

Uhuru Foundation co- founder Derek Rush knows what it’s like to be behind bars. But he doesn’t let that part of his life define him, even in trying to make life better for young people in the same situation. “Yes, I spent some time incarcerated,” Rush says. “But I don’t lean solely on that experience. […]

Dust to dust

The Murray family was looking to take its already eclectic Panorama Farms in a new direction. Best known for hosting the UVA cross country team and national collegiate running events, the Murrays wanted to turn a large swath of their Earlysville land into a green burial cemetery, where bodies can be laid to rest in […]